Recovery begins when we recognize the simple moments of joy already available to us.
There is no way to healing, healing is the way. With each mindful breath and each mindful step, we can heal ourselves and cultivate peace, joy and happiness. We welcome anyone on the journey of recovery to find refuge in the practice of mindfulness and community.
The Buddha has said there is a path that leads to suffering but there is also a path that leads to more happiness, peace, joy and freedom in our lives. Many people in recovery have found that mindfulness and meditation are a vital part of their recovery program. The practice of mindfulness within a supportive community allows us to touch the wonders of the present moment and to connect more deeply with ourselves, with others and with the world around us.
Each step in mindfulness is another step on the path to recovery, joy, healing and transformation. The powerful collective energy of mindfulness we generate supports us in our practice and in our daily life. Together we cultivate the joy of ‘siblinghood,’ a sense of belonging, where we feel at home.
This retreat is open to people with experience in 12 Step or other recovery programs, friends, family, and recovery workers as well as those struggling with addiction of any kind. No prior meditation experience is required and people of all spiritual backgrounds – or no religious background at all – are welcome to attend.
General information about joining us for a retreat
Please note that this retreat is not directly affiliated with any particular 12 Step program and will not be focused on the study of the 12 Step program. Rather, it will be a chance to learn about mindfulness and meditation together with other people in recovery by sharing the practical experience of mindful living with the joyful monks and nuns in the Plum Village tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh. We ask that all participants refrain from smoking or taking intoxicants while on the retreat. Please do continue to take any prescription medications as prescribed.
To support the stability and collective energy of mindfulness, all participants are asked to stay the whole week, and only arrive on the afternoon of Friday 9th May 2025 and depart on the morning of Friday 16th May 2025.
There will be another retreat taking place in Upper Hamlet during this week, so it will be important to check the whiteboard for daily announcements regarding the schedule for the Mindful Recovery retreat.
The language of the retreat will be given in English only.
- Sample schedule
- Information about our hamlets
- Accommodation and pricing
- Transportation, what to wear, what to bring, and meals
Register in the Upper Hamlet
This retreat is hosted in the home of the Plum Village monks, Upper Hamlet. For most of the year, Upper Hamlet mainly hosts single men. However, for this retreat, all genders are welcome for these two weeks, including single women.